India’s Political and Electoral Framework

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India boasts the title of the largest democracy globally, with a complex structure of governance. There are 28 States and 8 Union Territories. Aren't you too curious to understand it? We have tried to break it down into simpler terms for you here. Happy reading!

India’s Political and Electoral Framework

The President of India:

• Ceremonial head of state of the country
• The supreme commander-in-chief of all defense forces
• Functions primarily on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers

The Prime Minister of India:

• Leader of the political party or alliance with a majority in the Lok Sabha
• Chief advisor to the President
• Head of the Union Council of Ministers (the legislative branch)
• Plays a crucial role in steering national policies and decisions

Governors and Chief Ministers in States:

• Each state has a Governor as the ceremonial head, appointed by the President of India
• Real executive authority lies with the Chief Minister, who is the leader of the majority party or alliance in State Assembly Elections
• Chief Ministers collaborate with the Prime Minister on state-central matters

Union Territories:

• Governed by either an elected Assembly or an administrator/lieutenant governor appointed by the President.

FYI:

Three Union Territories (Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry) have their own legislative assemblies, while others are directly governed by administrators

Delhi was given the status of the National Capital Territory (NCT) with a legislative assembly under the 69th constitutional amendment (1991). Under Article 239A these three UT’s were provided a Legislative Assembly.

Elections in India

Election Commission of India (ECI)

• An autonomous authority empowered by Article 324 of the Constitution.
• Oversees elections for: President, Vice President, Lok Sabha (Lower House/House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House/Council of States), State Legislative Assemblies and Councils, By-elections

First Chief Election Commissioner: Sukumar Sen

Current Chief Election Commissioner: Rajiv Kumar

FYI:

Common reasons for by-elections: Resignation or Death of the sitting MP or MLA

Before we dive into it, remember that The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are houses of the Indian Parliament, while the Vidhan Sabha is the state legislative assembly.

Parliamentary general elections (Lok Sabha Elections)-

• All eligible voters vote to elect the Members of Parliament (MPs) for a five-year term or until the body is dissolved by the President on the advice of the council of ministers
• Comprises 543 seats
• In 2024 elections, BJP alone won 240 seats, while the BJP led NDA overall secured 293 of the seats and thus won by majority

FYI:

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is a coalition led by BJP and includes parties like the National People’s Party (NPP), Telugu Desam Party, Shiv Sena and others. Its first chairman was former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It currently controls the government of India as well as the government of 19 Indian states and one Union territory. Its first chairman was then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

State Assembly Elections (Vidhan Sabha Elections)-

• All eligible voters vote to elect Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) for a five-year term or until the body is dissolved by the Governor
• 2024 Elections: Conducted in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Haryana, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Maharashtra
• 2025 Elections: Scheduled for Bihar and Delhi

Rajya Sabha (Upper House) Elections-

• Members are indirectly elected by MLAs or nominated by the President
• Tenure: Six years, with one-third of members up for re-election every two years
• Vice President of India acts as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha
• Membership is limited to 245 members. 233 are elected by the State legislative assemblies, and 12 are nominated by the president of India for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social services

FYI:

The Rajya Sabha acts as a second-level review body before a bill becomes an act.

for bills and has limited powers over money bills, which must be returned to the Lok Sabha within 14 days.

Legislative Process in Parliament

• Legislative proposals are introduced as bills in either House of Parliament
• A bill becomes an Act of Parliament once passed by both Houses and signed by the President
• The Rajya Sabha can: Approve, reject, or suggest amendments to bills and only make recommendations for money bills

Delhi currently holds 3 seats in Rajya Sabha, 7 in Lok Sabha and has 70 assembly seats.

Curious about how your state is faring? Have a look here.

Uttar Pradesh has the highest seats in Lok Sabha (80), Rajya Sabha (31) and its Vidhan Sabha (403).

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